Broadcasting receiver and method of interfacing resource information between a host device and a POD, sending host device resource information and obtaining host device resource information

ABSTRACT

A broadcasting receiver and method of interfacing resource information between a host device and a POD, sending host device resource information and obtaining host device resource information are disclosed. A POD sends a resource information requesting message. And a host device receives the resource information requesting message and responds with a resource information message including a resource identifier defined in a resource information table which includes information indicating whether the host device supports A-mode. Using a “conditional access” feature provided by a conventional cable security card, content received through any type of transport protocol (including an IP protocol) including a wired/wireless network can be protected and A-mode resource information can be systematically defined together with other-mode IP communication resource and the resource information of different modes can be integrated and transmitted to the host device.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2007-71711, filed on Jul. 18, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a broadcast receiver, a method forinterfacing between a host device and a security card, a method fortransmitting host resource information, and a method for acquiring hostresource information, and more particularly, to a broadcast receiver, amethod for interfacing between a host device and a security card, amethod for transmitting host resource information, and a method foracquiring host resource information, wherein broadcast data transmittedbased on an Internet protocol is processed.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Existing television (TV) services have been provided in such a mannerthat contents produced by broadcasting companies are transmitted throughradio transmission media, such as terrestrial waves, cables orsatellites, and a viewer watches the transmitted contents through a TVreceiver capable of receiving the transmitted contents via therespective transmission media.

However, as digital TV technologies based on digital broadcasting aredeveloped and are commercially available, breaking from existing analogbroadcasting, various contents, such as real-time broadcasts, Contentson Demand (CoD), games and news, can be provided to a viewer using theInternet network connected to each home, besides the existingtransmission media.

An example of the provision of contents using the Internet network mayinclude an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV). The IPTV indicates a broadcastreceiver for receiving various types of information services,moving-image contents and broadcasts using an Internet network anddisplaying them to a user. The Internet network can be implemented onthe basis of various types of networks such as optical cable networks,coaxial cable networks, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), telephone networks andwireless networks.

The service using the Internet network additionally has bidirectionalityand enables a viewer to watch a desired program at his/her convenienttime, unlike general terrestrial broadcasting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a broadcast receiver,a method for interfacing between a host device and a security card, amethod for transmitting host resource information, and a method foracquiring host resource information that substantially obviate one ormore problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast receiver, amethod for interfacing between a host device and a security card, amethod for transmitting host resource information, and a method foracquiring host resource information, which use an Internet protocol andenable protection of transmitted content through a “conditional access”feature provided by a conventional cable security card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a broadcastreceiver, a method for interfacing between a host device and a securitycard, a method for transmitting host resource information, and a methodfor acquiring host resource information, which enable efficienttransmission of network capabilities of the host device to the securitycard in order to process broadcast data received on all types oftransport protocols including an IP protocol, over a wired/wirelessnetwork.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a broadcastreceiver, a method for interfacing between a host device and a securitycard, a method for transmitting host resource information, and a methodfor acquiring host resource information, which enable reception ofbroadcast data from a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA).

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, amethod of interfacing resource information between a host device and aPOD includes sending a resource information requesting message from thePOD to the host device, and responding by the host device to the PODwith a resource information message including a resource identifierindicating whether the host device supports A-mode resource. Herein theresource identifier is an identifier defined for identifying a Low-SpeedCommunication resource. And the resource identifier of the Low-SpeedCommunication resource further indicates whether the host devicesupports at least one of OOB down mode and OOB up mode.

Also, the resource identifier is an identifier defined for identifyingan IP communication resource which is used for supporting A-mode. Hereinthe resource identifier of the IP communication resource furtherindicates whether the host device supports OOB down mode.

Also, the host includes an Internet Protocol(IP) physical interface unitfor supporting A-mode. Herein the IP physical interface unit receives anEthernet frame including broadcast data.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of sending hostdevice resource information includes receiving a resource informationrequesting message from a POD, identifying whether the host devicesupports A-mode, inserting a resource identifier indicating whether thehost device supports A-mode in a resource information messages when thehost device supports A-mode, and sending the resource informationmessage to the POD. Herein the resource identifier is an identifierdefined for identifying a Low-Speed Communication resource. And theresource identifier of the Low-Speed Communication resource furtherindicates whether the host device supports at least of OOB down mode andOOB up mode.

Also, the resource identifier is an identifier defined for identifyingan IP communication resource which is used for supporting A-mode. Hereinthe resource identifier of the IP communication resource furtherindicates whether the host device supports OOB down mode.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of obtaining hostdevice resource information includes sending a resource informationrequesting message to a host device, receiving a resource informationmessage including a resource identifier indicating whether the hostdevice supports A-mode, and obtaining the resource identifier by parsingthe received resource information message. Herein the resourceidentifier is an identifier defined for identifying a Low-SpeedCommunication resource. And the resource identifier of the Low-SpeedCommunication resource further indicates whether the host devicesupports at least of OOB down mode and OOB up mode.

Also, the resource identifier is an identifier defined for identifyingan IP communication resource which is used for supporting A-mode.Herein, the resource identifier of the IP communication resource furtherindicates whether the host device supports OOB down mode.

In another aspect of the present invention, A broadcasting receiverincludes POD for sending a resource information requesting message andhost device for receiving the resource information requesting messageand responding with a resource information message including a resourceidentifier indicating whether the host device supports A-mode resource.Herein, the resource identifier is an identifier defined for identifyinga Low-Speed Communication resource. And the resource identifier of theLow-Speed Communication resource further indicates whether the hostdevice supports at least one of OOB down mode and OOB up mode.

Also, the resource identifier is an identifier defined for anidentifying-IP communication resource which is used for supportingA-mode. Herein, the resource identifier of the IP communication resourcefurther indicates whether the host device supports OOB down mode.

According to the present invention, it is possible to protect contentusing a “conditional access” provided by a conventional cable securitycard. Thus, service providers can protect their content and stablycharge service users using the “conditional access”.

In addition, since broadcast data received one all types of transportprotocols including an IP protocol over a wired/wireless network isprocessed so as to enable interfacing with an cable security card,service users can view services of desired providers by minimallychanging or extending functions of the conventional cable security card.

Further, information items of network capabilities of the host devicefor transmitting broadcast data received based on an Ethernet protocolin Internet protocol packets to the security card are systematicallydefined together with other information items and such information itemsare then integrated and transmitted to the host device. This enablesefficient exchange of information between the host device and thesecurity card.

Furthermore, conventional information transmission systems and methodsare supported and extended to enable transmission of additional networkinformation of the host device, so that backward compatibility can beachieved.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an IPTV system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a receiver that uses a security cardaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a procedure for operating an RM protocol according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a syntax of profile_reply( ) APDU according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example resource information table includinglow-speed communication resource information of a cable broadcastreceiver;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example resource information table includingextended low-speed communication resource information according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example resource information table includinglow-speed communication resource information and IP communicationresource information according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are flow charts illustrating procedures fortransmitting and receiving network operating mode information of a hostdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow charts illustrating procedures for transmittingand receiving network operating mode information of a host deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In addition, although the terms used in the present invention areselected from generally known and used terms, some of the termsmentioned in the description of the present invention have been selectedby the applicant at his or her discretion, the detailed meanings ofwhich are described in relevant parts of the description herein.Furthermore, it is required that the present invention is understood,not simply by the actual terms used but by the meanings of each termlying within.

A broadcast receiver and a method of processing broadcast data accordingto the present invention will be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

An Internet protocol TV (IPTV) system which is an example of a systemcapable of providing various types of contents using an Internet networkmay be largely divided into a server, a network and a broadcast receiver(client).

The server of the IPTV system may include servers having variousfunctions, such as a service discovery and selection server, a streamingserver, a content guide information server, a customer informationserver, and a payment information server.

Among these servers, the streaming server transmits stored MovingPicture Experts Group (MPEG)-2 or MPEG-4 encoding moving-image data tothe broadcast receiver via a network. As a transmission protocol, areal-time transport protocol (RTP) or a RTP control protocol (RTCP) maybe used.

In the case where a real-time streaming protocol (RTSP) is used, thereproduction of a moving-image stream can be controlled by a networktrick play function such as Pause, Replay, Stop or the like to someextent.

The content guide information server provides information on providedvarious contents. The content guide information includes a variety ofinformation on the contents as information corresponding to electronicprogram guide (EPG) information. The content guide information serverstores content guide information data and provides the stored data tothe broadcast receiver.

Among the servers, the service discovery and selection server providesaccess information of servers for providing various types of contentservices such as broadcasts, Contents on Demand (CoD) or games andreproduction information to the broadcast receiver.

A network system includes an Internet-based network and gateways. As theInternet-based network, various types of networks based on the IP, suchas optical cable networks, coaxial cable networks, fiber-to-the-home(FTTH), telephone networks and wireless networks, may be used. Thegateways may generally perform data delivery, multicast group managementusing a protocol such as an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)and Quality of Service (QoS) management.

The IPTV indicates a broadcast receiver capable of receiving datatransmitted via the Internet network and providing the data to a user.The broadcast receiver may include an IPTV settop, a homenet gateway andan IPTV embedded TV.

A hybrid IPTV system can provide various types of contents of theInternet as well as various types of existing broadcast contents. Thatis, besides various types of broadcast contents such as terrestrialbroadcasting, cable broadcasting, satellite broadcasting or privatebroadcasting, various Internet image contents or data contents otherthan images can be provided to the user. These contents may be providedin real time or on demand.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an IPTV system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

From the viewpoint of a content service provider, the IPTV system may bedivided into a content provider (CP), a service provider (SP), a networkprovider (NP) and a user.

The CP manufactures and provides various types of contents. The CP mayinclude a terrestrial broadcaster, a cable system operator (SO) or acable multiple system operator (MSO), a satellite broadcaster and anInternet broadcaster.

The SP packages contents provided by the CP to a service and providesthe service. For example, the SP of FIG. 1 packages a first terrestrialbroadcast, a second terrestrial broadcast, a cable MSO broadcast, asatellite broadcast, various Internet broadcasts to the service andprovides the service to the user.

As means for protecting the contents transmitted in the IPTV system,conditional access or content protection may be used. As an example ofthe conditional access or the content protection, a cable card or adownloadable conditional access system (DCAS) may be used.

The use of the security card or the DCAS is selected by the SP forproviding the IPTV service. In the case where the security card or theDCAS is used in the broadcast receiver, the SP communicating with thebroadcast receiver should use that system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a broadcast receiver usingthe security card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The broadcast receiver of FIG. 2 can receive all of an IPTV servicebased on the IP, a cable broadcast, a terrestrial broadcast and asatellite broadcast. The broadcast receiver of FIG. 2 may receive onlythe IPTV service or cable broadcasting according to the implementationexamples. The security card of FIG. 2 may be called other termsaccording to the implementation examples.

The broadcast receiver of FIG. 2 is largely divided into a host deviceand a security card. The host device includes a first broadbandinterface unit 202, a second broadband interface unit 204, a demodulator206, a multiplexer 208, a demultiplexer 210, a decoder 212, an IPphysical interface unit 214, a routing engine 216, an IP to transportpacket (TP) decapsulator 218, a controller 222, a downloadable CAS(DCAS) 224, a digital video recorder (DVR) controller 226, a contentencryptor 228, a storage interface 230, and a storage unit 232. Thesecurity card 220 may be a single stream card capable of processing onlyone stream and a multi stream card capable of simultaneously processinga plurality of streams. For example, the security card 220 may beimplemented by a cable card or a smart card.

The broadcast receiver is an open cable type receiver in which thesecurity card including a conditional access system (CAS) can bedetached from a main body. The security card is also called a point ofdeployment (POD) module, which is inserted into or detached from a slotof the main body of the broadcast receiver. The main body into which thesecurity card is inserted is also called a host device. That is, acombination of the security card and the host device is called thebroadcast receiver.

The host device included in the broadcast receiver of FIG. 2 is oneexample implemented by a multi stream host device capable ofsimultaneously processing a plurality of streams. When a host device isimplemented by a single stream host device capable of processing onlyone stream, it is bypassed for multiplexer 208 and the demultiplexer 210of the host device of FIG. 2 to generate a CableCard MPEG Packet(CMP) byappending a Packet Header to a MPEG transport packet and multiplex theCMP and demultiplex the multiplexed CMP. But, though a host device isimplemented a single stream host device, the other operations that thepresent invention disclose are performed identically.

THE IMPLEMENTATION EXAMPLES

A network modem 200 connects an external network and the broadcastreceiver. For example, the broadcast receiver may be connected to theexternal network using a data over cable service interface specification(DOCSIS) modem, a wireless repeater connected to a wireless Internetnetwork, or a wired repeater connected to a wired Internet network, suchas a wired Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) repeater. Theexample of the connection between the broadcast receiver and theexternal network is only exemplary and may vary depending on how thebroadcast receiver is connected to the external network.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the connection between the broadcast receiverand the external network using the DOCSIS modem according to the presentinvention.

In the case where the network modem 200 is implemented by the DOCSISmodem, the broadcast receiver according to the present invention may beconnected to a DOCSIS network. That is, the network modem 200 may builda cable modem termination system (CMTS) (DSG agent) and a DSG tunnel fordelivering a data broadcast received from a set-top controller (DSGserver) via the DOCSIS network and receive broadcast data via the builtDSG tunnel. Here, the DOCSIS network may be implemented by an IPbackbone network and support IP multicast/unicast.

However, in order to support the IP multicast/unicast via the DOCSISnetwork, a packet received from the CMTS (DSG agent) should betransformed to a DSG packet and the DSC packet should be transmitted.Accordingly, the broadcast receiver cannot be directly connected to theexternal IP network so as to receive the broadcast data.

In order to solve these problems, the network modem 200 may provide afunction for directly connecting the broadcast receiver to the externalIP network. For example, the network modem 200 may be implemented by aMultimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA). In the case where the networkmodem 200 is implemented by the MoCA, the IP-based network may beestablished and connected over a coaxial cable network. That is, in thecase where the network modem 200 is implemented by the MoCA, the DOCSISmay not be used, the DOCSIS modem does not need to be used, and the CMTSconnected to the DOCSIS modem over the network does not need to be used.In addition, the DSG tunnel established between the DOCSIS modem and theCMTS does not need to be used. Accordingly, since seamless IP-basedconnectivity may be implemented over the coaxial network, the broadcastreceiver according to the present invention can use IP over Coax andthus provide a rapid stable broadcast service to the user.

The first broadband interface unit 202 tunes to only a specific channelfrequency of terrestrial audio/video (A/V) broadcasting transmitted viaan antenna or cable A/V broadcasting transmitted in-band via a cableconnected to the network modem 200, and outputs the tuned signal to thedemodulator 206.

At this time, since the terrestrial broadcast and the cable broadcastare transmitted by different transmission methods, they are demodulatedby different demodulation methods in the demodulator 206. For example,while the terrestrial A/V broadcast is modulated by a vestigial sidebandmodulation (VSB) method, the cable A/V broadcast is modulated by aquadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) method. Therefore, if the channelfrequency tuned by the first broadband interface unit 202 is theterrestrial broadcast, the demodulator 206 demodulates the terrestrialbroadcast by the VSB method and if the channel frequency tuned by thefirst broadband interface unit 202 is the cable broadcast, demodulatesthe cable broadcast by the QAM method.

The second broadband interface unit 204 tunes to only a specific channelfrequency of cable A/V broadcast transmitted in-band via the cableconnected to the network modem 200, and outputs the tuned signal to thedemodulator 206.

The first broadband interface unit 202 and the second broadbandinterface unit 204 may tune the signals of different channels andtransmit the signals to the demodulator 206. Alternatively, the firstbroadband interface unit 202 and the second broadband interface unit 204may tune different A/V streams of the same channel and transmit thesignals to the demodulator 206. For example, the first broadbandinterface unit 202 may tune a stream of a main picture and the secondbroadband interface unit 204 may tune a stream of a picture in picture(PIP). In the case where a digital video signal is stored in a digitalvideo recorder (DVR), the video signal may be watched and recorded usingthe first broadband interface unit 202 and the second broadbandinterface unit 204.

The demodulator 206 demodulates the received signal and transmits thedemodulated signal to the multiplexer 208. The multiplexer 208 maymultiplex the signals output from the demodulator 206 and the IP to TPdecapsulator 218 and output the multiplexed signal. For example, themain video signal which is tuned by the first broadband interface unit202 and is demodulated and the PIP video signal which is tuned by thesecond broadband interface unit 204 and is demodulated are multiplexedand the multiplexed signal is output. The video signals of differentchannels may be multiplexed, or the demodulated signal and the signaloutput from the IP to TP decapsulator 218 may be multiplexed, accordingto the implementation examples.

If the signal output from the multiplexer 208 is terrestrial broadcastdata, the signal is output to the demultiplexer 210 and, if the signaloutput from the demultiplexer 208 is the cable broadcast data or theIPTV broadcast data, the signal is output to the demultiplexer 210 viathe security card 220 mounted in the slot. The security card 220includes the CAS in order to prevent higher value-added broadcastingcontents from being copied and permit conditional access, which is alsocalled the POS module.

That is, if the received broadcast data is scrambled, the security card220 descrambles the broadcast data and outputs the descrambled data tothe demultiplexer 210. If the security card 220 is not mounted, the A/Vbroadcast data output from the multiplexer 208 is directly output to thedemultiplexer 210. In this case, the scrambled A/V broadcast data cannotbe descrambled and thus cannot be normally watched.

The demultiplexer 210 routes the A/V broadcast data output from themultiplexer 208 and the A/V broadcast data output from the security card220 to be output to the decoder 212 or the DVR controller 226. Thedecoder 212 restores the compressed A/V signal to an original signal viaa video/audio decoding algorithm and outputs the restored signal.

The DVR controller 226, the content encryptor 228, the storage interface230 and the storage unit 232 serve to store the received digital data orreproduce the stored data. The DVR controller 226 controls MPEG TSrouted by the demultiplexer 210 to be stored or controls video data,audio data and system data selected from stored data to be reproduced,under the control of the controller 222. The content encryptor 228encrypts data to be stored and outputs the encrypted data or decryptsthe encrypted data and outputs the decrypted data. The encryptor 228 maynot be used according to the implementation examples.

The storage interface 230 performs data input/output interface with thestorage unit 232, and the storage unit 232 stores the received data.

The DCAS 224 may download and store the CASs from a transmission serverand perform a CAS function according to a proper CAS of the stored CASs.The controller 222 controls data processing of the host device and theinterface between the host device and the security card.

The Ethernet NIC 214 receives an Ethernet frame packet destined for aspecific IP address in a signal received through the network modem 200,and transmits the received Ethernet frame packet to the routing engine216. The Ethernet NIC 214 may also receive data for two-waycommunication (for example, a paid program request, receiver statusinformation, user input, etc.) from the routing engine 216 and thentransmit the received data to an external network through the networkmodem 200. The specific IP address may be an IP address of the hostdevice or an IP address of the security card. Here, the method in whichthe Ethernet NIC 214 receives an Ethernet frame through the networkmodem 200 and transmits the received Ethernet frame to the routingengine 216 and the routing engine 216 then routes the received packet toa destination of the packet using a TCP/IP network stack will now bereferred to as an “IP mode”. The Ethernet NIC 214 and the routing engine216 correspond to IP-mode resources that support the IP mode.

In the broadcast receiver of FIG. 2, IPTV broadcast data according tothe IP protocol, a Video On Demand (VOD) signal or an Out Of Band (OOB)message signal may be received via the IP physical interface unit 214.In the existing cable broadcast, an OOB message such as SystemInformation (SI), an Emergency Alert System (EAS), an extendedApplication Information Table (XAIT), CAS information, or a variety ofcard control information is received using a DOCSIS Settop gateway (DSG)method or an OOB method.

In the broadcast receiver of FIG. 2, the DOCSIS modem or the OOB tunermay be included in the host device such that the OOB message isreceived. For example, the OOB message may be received using one of theIP method and the OOB method or using one of the IP method, the DSGmethod and the OOB method.

In the case where the OOB message is received using one of the IP methodand the OOB method, the broadcast receiver of FIG. 2 further requires anOOB tuner or demodulator. In the case where the OOB message is receivedusing one of the IP method, the DSG method and the OOB method, thebroadcast receiver of FIG. 2 further requires the DOCSIS modem, the OOBtuner, a switching unit for selecting one of the DSG method and the OOBmethod, and a demodulator for transmitting the data to the headendaccording to the method.

In the case where all the IP method, the DSG method and the OOB methodcan be used or in the case where both the IP method and the OOB methodcan be used except for the DSG method, the transmitter selects one ofthe above-described methods and transmits information on the selectedmethod to the security card 220. The security card 220 informs the hostdevice of the operating method according to the information on themethod selected by the transmitter. In this case, backward compatibilitycan be solved.

In the broadcast receiver of FIG. 2, for convenience of description, thecase where the OOB message is received via the IP physical interfaceunit 214 using the IP, instead of the DSG method using the DOCSIS modemor the OOB method using the OOB tuner, will be described. In this case,the transmitter should packetize the OOB message using the IP andtransmit the OOB message. In the VOD or IPTV broadcast, the message suchas the CAS information may be received in the form of a packet such as aVOD packet or an IPTV broadcast packet.

The OOB message is only exemplary, and other necessary information maybe added or unnecessary information of the above-described informationmay be excluded according to the implementation examples.

The routing engine 216 routes the received packet to a destination ofthe packet using a TCP/IP protocol-based network stack. The TCP/IPnetwork 216 supports both a TCP/IP protocol and a user datagram protocol(UDP)/IP protocol.

The routing engine 216 routes the received VOD signal or the IPTVbroadcast data to the IP to TP decapsulator 218. The IP to TPdecapsulator 218 parses the received MPEG or MPEG-2 TS packet andoutputs the parsed packet to the multiplexer 208. The process after themultiplexer 208 is described above. Since the MPEG-2 broadcast data isused in the above example, the TP packet is received and parsed.However, in the case where the broadcast data using other standard isreceived, other units may be used instead of the TP packet unit.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited to theterms used in the implementation examples.

The routing engine 216 transmits the packet, of which the destination isthe security card 220, to the security card 220. The OOB message whichis one of the packets of which the destination is the security card 220is routed by the routing engine 216 and transmitted to the security card220. In the case where the OOB message is routed to the security card220, the data can be transmitted to the security card 220 using a secondlayer routing method, a third layer routing method, or a fourth layerrouting method.

If the second layer routing method is used, the message is routed usinga media access control (MAC) address system of the destination includedin the header of the received Ethernet frame. If the third layer routingmethod is used, the message is routed using an IP address system of thedestination included in the IP header of the received Ethernet frame.The use of the second layer routing method or the third layer routingmethod may vary according to implementation examples. If the fourthlayer routing method is used, the message is routed using a port numberincluded in the UDP header of the received Ethernet frame. If thereceived Ethernet frame includes the TCP header, the message is routedusing a port number included in the TCP header of the received Ethernetframe. The use of the second layer routing method, the third layerrouting method or the fourth layer routing method may vary according toimplementation examples. That is, the second layer routing method, thethird layer routing method or the fourth layer routing method may beused according to implementation examples.

A data channel, an extended channel and an in-band channel exist betweenthe security card and the host device. The data channel is set such thata control signal is exchanged between the host device and the securitycard, and the extended channel is set such that actual data isexchanged. The data channel and the extended channel are CPU interfaceswhich are defined such that data is exchanged between the host deviceand the security card.

That is, the security card communicates with a transmitter, analyzes acommand received from the transmitter, and performs an operationinstructed by the transmitter while communicating with the host devicevia the data channel and the extended channel or sends contents input bythe user to the transmitter.

At this time, in order to transmit the data via the extended channel,first, a transmission line corresponding to the data type definedbetween the security card and the host device should be set. This iscalled a flow. For example, in order to transmit MPEG section data, anMPEG section flow is set between the security card and the host deviceand then the MPEG section data is actually transmitted via the flow. Theextended channel may include a DSG flow, an IP flow and an MPEG sectionflow. Only, if eCM(embeded Cable Modem) like DOCSIS Modem is not used inthe host device, the DSG flow is not used in the flows. Herein the IPflow may include at least one of an IP unicast (IP_U) flow and an IPmulticast (IP_M) flow.

The in-band channel is set between the host device and the security cardin order to transmit an MPEG-2 transport packet containing audio, videoand data and corresponds to an MPEG interface or an in-band MPEG-TSinterface. The MPEG data flow is set as the transmission line fortransmitting the data via the in-band channel.

Before the communication operating mode of the host device as describedabove is set or before the host device exchanges an OOB message or thelike with the security card, the host device needs to provide thesecurity card with information of network operating modes supported bythe host device. Accordingly, while the interface between the hostdevice and the security card is initialized, for example when the hostdevice boots or when the security card is inserted into the host device,the host device transmits the information of network operating modessupported by the host device to the security card.

FIG. 3 illustrates a procedure for operating a Resource Manager (RM)protocol according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Using the RM protocol, a list of identifiers (IDs) of all resources ofthe host device can be transferred to the security card. Using the RMprotocol, the security card can acquire resource information of the hostdevice such as Conditional Access System (CAS) information andinformation of network operating modes supported by the host device.Control of the host device and the security card and data transmissionand reception between the host device and security card is performedbased on the acquired resource information.

Transmission and reception of resource information according to the RMprotocol is performed as an application stack starts in a process forinitializing the interface between the host device and the securitycard.

First, the security card requests that the host device open a sessionaccording to the RM protocol (open_session_request). Upon receiving thesession open request from the security card, the host device sends arespond(open_session_response) with respect to the request to thesecurity card by opening a session.

When the session is opened, the host device transmits a profile_inq( )Application Data Unit (APDU), requesting information of supportableresources, to the security card. In response to this request, thesecurity card transmits a profile_reply( ) APDU to the host device. Theprofile_reply( ) APDU transmitted to the host device includesinformation of all resources supportable by the security card.

The host device transmits a profile_changed( ) APDU, includinginformation of changed resources, to the security card in response tothe profile_reply( ) information received from the security card. Thehost device transmits the profile_changed( ) APDU when a change has beenmade to resources of the host device.

The security card transmits a profile_inq( ) APDU, requestinginformation of supportable resources of the host device, back to thehost device. The host device transmits a profile_reply( ) APDU to thesecurity card in response to this request. The profile_reply( ) APDUtransmitted to the security card includes information of all resourcessupportable by the host device. Thus, by receiving the profile_reply( )APDU transmitted from the host device, the security card can acquire theinformation of all resources supportable by the host device.

Herein, the profile_inq( ) APDU can be considered an example of aresource information request message and the profile_reply( ) APDU canbe considered an example of a resource information message. That is, theprofile_reply( ) APDU includes respective resource identifiers of allresources supportable by the host device. The resources supportable bythe host device include a low-speed communication resource and an IPcommunication resource.

The low-speed communication resource basically indicates a resource thatsupports an OOB down mode, an OOB up mode, or a Docsis mode of theconventional cable card. Here, the OOB down mode is a network operatingmode based on a Forward Data Channel (FDC), the OOB up mode is a networkoperating mode based on a Reverse Data Channel (RDC), and the DOCSISmode is a network operating mode based on a DOCSIS cable modem.

The low-speed communication resource can be extended to a resource thatalso supports the A-mode. Here, the A-mode is a network operating modebased on the Ethernet NIC 214. An example of the A-mode is the IP modeas shown in FIG. 2.

The IP communication resource is a resource that supports the A-mode.That is, the IP communication resource independently (or separately)indicates that the host device supports the A-mode, instead of theextending the low-speed communication resource to indicate that the hostdevice supports the A-mode.

FIG. 4 illustrates a syntax for the profile_reply( ) APDU according toan embodiment of the present invention.

A profile_reply_tag field is a 24-bit field and has a value indicatingthat the APDU is a profile_reply( ) APDU. Length_field( ) includesinformation of the size of a subsequent field in units of bytes. A ‘for’loop is repeated the same number of times as the number of resourceinformation items and a resource_identifier( ) in the ‘for’ loopincludes identification information of a corresponding resource. Here,the identification information of the corresponding resource may be aresource identifier defined in a resource information table.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example resource information table that includesinformation of low-speed communication resources of a cable broadcastreceiver.

Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates resource IDs according to networkoperating modes used in the host device of the cable broadcast receiver.In FIG. 5, a Forward Data Channel (FDC) is a downstream OOB channel anda Reverse Data Channel (RDC) is an upstream OOB channel. That is, thehost device supports an OOB-mode downstream network when an FDC ispresent and supports an OOB-mode upstream network when an RDC ispresent.

In the case of FIG. 5, the host device basically supports an OOB-modedownstream network (i.e., FDC). The host device supports an OOB-modedownstream network alone if identification information of a low-speedcommunication resource is not included in the resource_identifier( ).Since the host device is not permitted to support only both the OOB-modedownstream network and the DOCSIS modem network, when identificationinformation of a low-speed communication resource is not included in theresource_identifier( ), the host device supports only the OOB-modedownstream network.

The identification information of the low-speed communication resourcehas a value of “0x00605043” when the host device supports both theOOB-mode downstream network (FDC) and the OOB-mode upstream network(RDC) and does not support the DOCSIS modem network. The identificationinformation of the low-speed communication resource has a value of“0x00608043” when the host device supports both the OOB-mode downstreamnetwork and the OOB-mode upstream network and also supports the DOCSISmodem network.

However, when the A-mode is supported, i.e., when the IP mode issupported as in FIG. 2, it is necessary to be able to transmitinformation as to whether or not the IP mode is supported. A method ofextending the low-speed communication resource and a method of using anew resource can be considered in order to transmit information as towhether or not the IP mode is supported.

The information of the network operating mode may be transmitted using anewly defined resource instead of using the existing resource. However,the following description is given of the method of extending thelow-speed communication resource and the method of using a new resourcewith reference to the conventional table as shown in FIG. 5 withoutchange in order to enable backward compatibility.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example resource information table includingextended low-speed communication resource information according to anembodiment of the present invention. An upper part of the table of FIG.6 includes the same information as that of FIG. 5 and a lower part is anextended portion.

Although the host device can use all of the IP, OOB, and DSG modes amonga variety of network operating modes, the example of FIG. 6 illustratesonly the case where the host device supports only the IP and OOB modesfor ease of explanation. In the case where all the IP, OOB, and DSGmodes are employed, possible cases according to whether or not theDOCSIS modem network is supported are added to the lower part of thetable of FIG. 6.

The case of the extended part of FIG. 6 basically supports the IP mode.When the identification value of the low-speed communication resource is“To Be Determined (TBD)1”, only the Ethernet Network Interface Card(NIC) for supporting the IP mode is provided whereas the OOB-modedownstream (FDC) and OOB-mode upstream (RDC) networks are not supported.When the OOB-mode downstream is not supported, the OOB-mode upstream isnot necessary. Therefore, the case where only both the OOB-mode upstreamnetwork and the Ethernet NIC are supported is not permitted.

When the identification value of the low-speed communication resource is“TBD2”, the Ethernet NIC for supporting the IP mode and the OOB-modedownstream network are supported. When the identification value of thelow-speed communication resource is “TBD3”, the Ethernet NIC, theOOB-mode downstream network, and the OOB-mode upstream network aresupported.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example resource information table includinglow-speed communication resource information and IP communicationresource information according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. An upper part of the table of FIG. 7 includes newly definedIP communication resource information and a lower part includeslow-speed communication resource information. The IP communicationresource information includes identification information indicatingwhether or not the host device supports the IP mode and theidentification information is transmitted by being included in theresource_identifier( ) of FIG. 4. The IP communication resourceinformation may include only the identification information indicatingwhether or not the host device supports the IP mode and may also includenot only information indicating whether or not the host device supportsthe IP mode but also information indicating whether or not the hostdevice supports a mode other than the IP mode. The term “IPcommunication resource” is only an example that does not limit thespirit of the invention.

The example of FIG. 7 is implemented when only the IP and OOB modenetworks are used. Other possible cases are added when the DSG mode isfurther used.

When the identification value of the IP communication resource is “TBD4”in the example of FIG. 7, the IP-mode Ethernet NIC is supported whilethe OOB-mode downstream (FDC) network is not supported. When theidentification value of the IP communication resource is “TBD5”, theEthernet NIC and the OOB-mode downstream network are supported. When theidentification value of the IP communication resource is not provided,the IP mode is not supported and network operating mode information canbe acquired (or determined) according to the low-speed communicationresource.

In the above example, it is assumed that the OOB-mode downstream networkis basically supported in the low-speed communication resource.Accordingly, when no low-speed communication resource is provided, thesecurity card determines that the OOB-mode downstream network issupported. Therefore, in this embodiment, whether or not the OOB-modedownstream network is supported is determined from the IP communicationresource to identify the case where only the Ethernet NIC is supportedas shown in FIG. 7. That is, the example of FIG. 7 includes not onlyinformation as to whether or not the IP mode is supported but alsoinformation as to whether or not the OOB mode is supported.

Using the IP communication resource and the low-speed communicationresource described above, the security card 220 can determine whether ornot the IP mode, the OOB-mode downstream network, and the OOB-modeupstream network are supported.

For example, when the host device supports only the IP mode, “TBD4” isincluded as an IP communication resource identification value in theresource_identifier( ) of FIG. 4 and no low-speed communication resourceidentification value is included. When the host device supports both theIP mode and the OOB-mode downstream network, “TBD5” is included as an IPcommunication resource identification value in the resource_identifier() and no low-speed communication resource identification value isincluded.

When the host device supports the IP mode, the OOB-mode downstreamnetwork, and the OOB-mode upstream network, two examples can beconsidered. That is, an information identification value of “TBD4” and alow-speed communication resource identification value of “0x00605043”are transmitted to the security card. Alternatively, an informationidentification value of “TBD5” and a low-speed communication resourceidentification value of “0x00605043” are transmitted to the securitycard. These two examples can be selectively used depending onimplementations. The above examples are provided according to anembodiment of the present invention and network operating modeinformation of the host device may also be transmitted to the securitycard 220 according to a preset rule such as a rule that higher priorityis given to the IP communication resource than to the low-speedcommunication resource.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flow charts illustrating procedures for transmittingand receiving network operating mode information of a host deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG.8A illustrates a procedure for transmitting network operating modeinformation of the host device using the extended low-speedcommunication resource as shown in FIG. 6.

First, an interface (I/F) between the host device and the security cardis initialized (S800). The interface between the host device and thesecurity card may be initialized when the host device boots or when thesecurity card is inserted into the host device.

While the interface between the host device and the security card isinitialized, resource information is transmitted and received accordingto a Resource Manager (RM) protocol. Here, the host device receives ahost resource information request (profile_inq( ) APDU) from thesecurity card (S802).

Upon receiving the request from the security card, the host devicedetermines supportable network operating modes. When the host devicesupports only the Ethernet NIC (S804), the host device sets thelow-speed communication resource identification information to “TBD1”(S806). When the host device supports the Ethernet NIC and the OOB-modedownstream (FDC) (S808), the host device sets the low-speedcommunication resource identification information to “TBD2” (S810). Whenthe host device supports the Ethernet NIC, the OOB-mode downstream(FDC), and the OOB-mode upstream (RDC) (S812), the host device sets thelow-speed communication resource identification information to “TBD3”(S814).

A list of these resource identification values is set in theresource_identifier( ). The host device generates a profile_reply( )APDU including the resource_identifier( ) (S816) and transmits theprofile_reply( ) APDU to the security card through a data channel(S818).

FIG. 8B illustrates a procedure for receiving network operating modeinformation using the extended low-speed communication resource as shownin FIG. 6.

First, an interface (I/F) between the host device and the security cardis initialized as described above (S820). The interface between the hostdevice and the security card may be initialized when the host deviceboots or when the security card is inserted into the host device.

While the interface between the host device and the security card isinitialized, resource information is transmitted and received accordingto a Resource Manager (RM) protocol. Here, the security card receiveshost resource information (profile_reply( ) APDU) from the host device(S822).

The security card parses the received profile_reply( ) APDU to acquireresource information included in the profile_reply( ) APDU (S824). Theresource information may be included in a resource_identifier( ) in theprofile_reply( ) APDU. When a low-speed communication resource includedin the profile_reply( ) APDU has a value of “TBD1” (S826), the securitycard determines that the host device supports only the Ethernet NIC(S828).

When the low-speed communication resource included in the profile_reply() APDU has a value of “TBD2” (S830), the security card determines thatthe host device supports the Ethernet NIC and the OOB-mode downstream(FDC) (S832). When the low-speed communication resource has a value of“TBD3” (S834), the security card determines that the host devicesupports the Ethernet NIC, the OOB-mode downstream (FDC), and theOOB-mode upstream (RDC) (S836). In the above case, network operatingmode information is transmitted and received using conventionallow-speed communication resources.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are flow charts illustrating procedures fortransmitting and receiving network operating mode information of a hostdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention.Specifically, FIG. 9A illustrates a procedure for transmitting networkoperating mode information of the host device using the newly definedresource as shown in FIG. 7.

First, an interface (I/F) between the host device and the security cardis initialized (S900). The interface between the host device and thesecurity card may be initialized when the host device boots or when thesecurity card is inserted into the host device as described above.

While the interface between the host device and the security card isinitialized, resource information is transmitted and received accordingto the RM protocol. Here, the host device receives a host resourceinformation request (profile_inq( ) APDU) from the security card (S902).

Upon receiving the request from the security card, the host devicedetermines supportable network operating modes. When the host devicesupports only the Ethernet NIC (S904), the host device setsidentification information of the newly defined IP communicationresource to “TBD4” (S906). When the host device supports the EthernetNIC and the OOB-mode downstream (FDC) (S908), the host device sets theIP communication resource identification information to “TBD5” (S910).When the host device supports the Ethernet NIC, the OOB-mode downstream(FDC), and the OOB-mode upstream (RDC) (S912), the host device sets theIP communication resource identification information to “TBD4” or “TBD5”and sets the low-speed communication resource identification informationto “0x00605043” (S914).

A list of these resource identification values is set in theresource_identifier( ). The host device generates a profile_reply( )APDU including the resource_identifier( ) (S916) and transmits theprofile_reply( ) APDU to the security card through a data channel(S918).

FIG. 9B illustrates a procedure for receiving network operating modeinformation using the newly defined resource as shown in FIG. 7.

First, an interface (I/F) between the host device and the security cardis initialized as described above (S920). The interface between the hostdevice and the security card may be initialized when the host deviceboots or when the security card is inserted into the host device.

While the interface between the host device and the security card isinitialized, resource information is transmitted and received accordingto the RM protocol. Here, the security card receives host resourceinformation (profile_reply( ) APDU) from the host device (S922).

The security card parses the received profile_reply( ) APDU to acquireresource information included in the profile_reply( ) APDU (S924). Theresource information may be included in a resource_identifier( ) in theprofile_reply( ) APDU. When an IP communication resource included in theprofile_reply( ) APDU has a value of “TBD4” (S926), the security carddetects low-speed communication resource identification information(S928). When no low-speed communication resource identificationinformation is present, the security card determines that the hostdevice supports only the Ethernet NIC (S930). When the low-speedcommunication resource has a value of “0x00605043”, the security carddetermines that the host device supports the Ethernet NIC, the OOB-modedownstream (FDC), and the OOB-mode upstream (RDC) (S936).

When the IP communication resource included in the profile_reply( ) APDUhas a value of “TBD5” (S932), the security card detects low-speedcommunication resource identification information (S934). When nolow-speed communication resource identification information is present,the security card determines that the host device supports the EthernetNIC and the OOB-mode downstream (FDC) (S938) When the IP communicationresource has a value of “0x00605043”, the security card determines thatthe host device supports the Ethernet NIC, the OOB-mode downstream(FDC), and the OOB-mode upstream (RDC) (S936). When no IP communicationresource identification information is present in the profile_reply( )APDU, the network operating mode of the IP-mode is not supported and thenetwork operating mode can be determined according to the low-speedcommunication resource identification information.

In this embodiment, a descramble module is included in a security cardor a smart security card and the security card is detachably attached tothe host device. A received broadcast signal is descrambled through thedescramble module of the security card to be provided to the user. Inanother embodiment, a descramble module may be included in the hostdevice without the security card and the descramble module may bedesigned to be downloaded from a broadcast station, a service provider,or the like. That is, the downloaded descramble module may be stored ina memory in the host device. However, this structural change does notlimit the scope of the present invention.

Although the above description has been given with reference to exampleswhere a network operating mode according to the IP mode has been added,information can also be transmitted and received according to the methoddescribed above when a network operating mode according to a mode otherthan the IP mode has been added. Terms or numbers described in the aboveembodiments are only examples that do not limit the spirit of thepresent invention.

1. A method of interfacing resource information between a host deviceand a POD, the method comprising: sending a resource informationrequesting message from the POD to the host device; and responding bythe host device to the POD with a resource information message includinga resource identifier indicating whether the host device supportsA-mode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource identifier is anidentifier defined for identifying a Low-Speed Communication resource.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the resource identifier of theLow-Speed Communication resource is a resource for indicating whetherthe host device supports at least of OOB down mode and OOB up mode. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the resource identifier is an identifierdefined for identifying an Internet Protocol(IP) communication resourcewhich is used for supporting A-mode.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinthe resource identifier of the IP communication resource furtherindicates whether the host device supports OOB down mode.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the host includes an Internet Protocol(IP) physicalinterface unit for supporting A-mode.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinthe IP physical interface unit receives an Ethernet frame includingbroadcast data.
 8. A method of sending host device resource information,the method comprising: receiving a resource information requestingmessage from a POD; identifying whether the host device supports A-mode;inserting a resource identifier indicating whether the host devicesupports A-mode in a resource information messages when the host devicesupports A-mode; and sending the resource information message to thePOD.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the resource identifier is anidentifier defined for identifying a Low-Speed Communication resource.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the resource identifier of theLow-Speed Communication resource further indicates whether the hostdevice supports at least one of OOB down mode and OOB up mode.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the resource identifier is an identifierdefined for identifying an Internet Protocol(IP) communication resourcewhich is used for supporting A-mode.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe resource identifier of the IP communication resource furtherindicates whether the host device supports OOB down mode.
 13. A methodof obtaining host device resource information, the method comprising:sending a resource information requesting message to a host device;receiving a resource information message including a resource identifierindicating whether the host device supports A-mode; and obtaining theresource identifier by parsing the received resource informationmessage.
 14. The method of claim 13, the resource identifier is anidentifier defined for identifying a Low-Speed Communication resource.15. The method of claim 14, wherein the resource identifier of theLow-Speed Communication resource further indicates whether the hostdevice supports at least one of OOB down mode and OOB up mode.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the resource identifier is an identifierdefined for identifying an Internet Protocol(IP) communication resourcewhich is used for supporting A-mode.
 17. The method of claim 16 whereinthe resource identifier of the IP communication resource furtherindicates whether the host device supports OOB down mode.
 18. Abroadcasting receiver comprising: a POD for sending a resourceinformation requesting message; and a host device for receiving theresource information requesting message and responding with a resourceinformation message including a resource identifier indicating whetherthe host device supports A-mode.
 19. the broadcasting receiver of claim18, wherein the resource identifier is an identifier defined foridentifying a Low-Speed Communication resource.
 20. the broadcastingreceiver of claim 19, wherein the resource identifier of the Low-SpeedCommunication resource further indicates whether the host devicesupports at least one of OOB down mode and OOB up mode.
 21. thebroadcasting receiver of claim 18, wherein the resource identifier is anidentifier defined for identifying an Internet Protocol(IP)communication resource which used for supporting A-mode.
 22. thebroadcasting receiver of claim 21, wherein the IP communication resourcefurther indicates whether the host device supports OOB down mode.